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Holidays to Uzbekistan

The heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is best known for its association with the Silk Road and the ideas, religions, peoples and conquerors that this brought.

Uzbekistan may not be the largest of the Central Asian nations however, in the eyes of most travellers, its culture, history and traditions define the region. Today, Uzbekistan’s modern-day borders enclose a collection of venerable city states once ruled by wealthy and powerful emperors, figureheads of revered ancient kingdoms who amassed great fortunes from the age-old trading routes that crisscrossed their territories.

It is due to these trade routes, and particularly an association with the legendary Silk Road, that Uzbekistan is best known. The wealth accrued from the commodities that passed through the region are still evident in the grandiose trading cities that are a highlight of a visit to the country whilst the ideas, religions and peoples, transported here from east and west through the rolling steppes and deserts of Central Asia have left a noticeable mark on the cultural life of the modern-day Uzbek state.

Capital city Tashkent is both the international gateway to Uzbekistan and the first stepping stone to the architectural treasures of the country’s interior. Ancient in its own right but razed by earthquakes and rebuilt by the Soviets, discover 500-year-old madrassahs and mausoleums and learn about Uzbek and pre-Uzbek decorative and creative arts before heading west to what are widely considered three of the region’s greatest cities – Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.

All three cities are home to exceptional Islamic buildings and are inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list. They also have their own distinct feel, cultural identities and architectural styles that clearly differentiate them. Khiva’s walled city is an atmospheric UNESCO protected world heritage site¬ housing magnificent madrassas, mosques and mausoleums surrounded by towering walls befitting of a powering feudal city. Bukhara remains one of Central Asia’s holiest cities with over 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges whilst Samarkand, a name synonymous with the Silk Road, shimmers with spectacular, blue-domed mosques, historic madrassas and ancient mausoleums centred on the impressive Registan Square. Speak to a travel specialist regarding a unique and tailor-made tour to Uzbekistan.

Tailor-made, luxury private tours in Uzbekistan

Gur Amir Mausoleum, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

10 DAYS

Uzbekistan Revealed

from £3550 - £3935
per person
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As always thank you for your guidance

KJ & DJ - Uzbekistan - October 2024

We would just like to thank you for your good judgement in choosing suitable hotels, a sensible variety of transport options and, most of all, in the balance of the itinerary.

Our holiday was both exhilarating and exhausting but our guide, Sherzod, hit the tone required for our trip pleasing both myself with history, culture , language and knowledge of his country and my husband with his humour, understanding and camaraderie. He comes highly recommended, worked well with all the drivers, allowed me to switch off from the mundane and enjoy in depth the beauty of Uzbekistan.

So, once again, we have travelled with Pettitts with confidence, enjoyed the adventure and as always thank you for your guidance.

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Places to visit in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a land of great antiquity. Birthplace of the feared conqueror Timur, Uzbekistan occupied a pivotal position on the trade routes between China and Europe and was to develop into a major Islamic centre for education and the arts. Despite its age, today capital Tashkent is a modern city with grand civic architecture and wide tree-lined boulevards. Spend time in Chorsu Bazaar and the excellent Museum of the Arts then take the high-speed Afrosiab train to Samarkand – the most famous of the Silk Road cities and location of the iconic Registan Square.

From here travel south to Shakrisabz, Timur’s hometown then travel west towards Bukhara, one of Central Asia’s most important religious centres, and on to the UNESCO protected walled city of Khiva. Uzbekistan can also be combined with its neighbours Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan or, for a longer exploration of the Silk Road, China.

Hazrati Imam, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent
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We’re pleased to confirm that Pettitts Travel will not apply any surcharges to our package holidays when we are operating as a tour operator, regardless of changes in global costs. The price you agree at the time of booking is the price you will pay, a commitment we have proudly upheld for the past 38 years.

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Meet our Uzbekistan Travel Consultants

Steven
Managing Director
Paul
Senior Travel Consultant
Katie
Senior Travel Consultant
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Your holiday to Uzbekistan

Ensconced between the barren plains of Kazakhstan, the mighty snow-capped ranges of the Tian Shan and blistering deserts of the south, landlocked Uzbekistan physically and culturally sits in the heart of Central Asia. A meeting place of people and traders, languages and religions since the dawn of recorded history, Uzbekistan is the crossroads that links Europe with Asia and is famously known for its association with the Silk Road. All of our holidays to Uzbekistan are tailor-made and can be customised to ensure they meet your exact requirements. From duration to places seen, hotels or extensions to neighbouring countries, we will be happy to make adjustments and provide advice. Our Uzbekistan holidays always include hotels, guided sightseeing, private car with dr...

Ensconced between the barren plains of Kazakhstan, the mighty snow-capped ranges of the Tian Shan and blistering deserts of the south, landlocked Uzbekistan physically and culturally sits in the heart of Central Asia. A meeting place of people and traders, languages and religions since the dawn of recorded history, Uzbekistan is the crossroads that links Europe with Asia and is famously known for its association with the Silk Road. All of our holidays to Uzbekistan are tailor-made and can be customised to ensure they meet your exact requirements. From duration to places seen, hotels or extensions to neighbouring countries, we will be happy to make adjustments and provide advice. Our Uzbekistan holidays always include hotels, guided sightseeing, private car with driver for all transfers and any internal flights or trains if these are required. We will also include your international flights although these can be arranged independently should you wish. When in Uzbekistan you will have the support and assistance of our Central Asian partners as well as our UK office.

The tours on our website are an ideal place from which to begin when planning your holiday – whether using them largely as outlined or as a starting point for further adjustments to ensure they meet your requirements. Uzbekistan Revealed is the quintessential introduction to the country, following a classic routing incorporating the Uzbek capital Tashkent as well as the key Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. These three ancient trading cities are some of the finest in the region with all inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list. Khiva is ringed by towering mud brick defensive walls which protect over 50 historic mosques, madrassas, mausoleums and homes, Bukhara, as befits an ancient seat of Islamic learning, remains a key centre of scholarship whilst Samarkand and its extraordinary collection of monuments, including world famous Registan Square, has played host to Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and the mighty conqueror Timur. Uzbekistan can also be combined with one or all of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan for a comprehensive exploration of the Silk Road.

Tomb of Daniel, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Historic sites in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a nation of great antiquity, a land at the centre of ancient trading routes where ideas mixed and commodities were traded. This heritage is evident in both the quantity and variety of ancient cities and historic sites that are scattered throughout the country, many of which are also renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city of Samarkand is the best known of these – an archetypal Silk Road city of turquoise-domed mosques, geometrically-tiled mausoleums and monumental public squares. Two-hours south of Samarkand is little visited Shakrisabz, birthplace of Timur and site of a mighty imperial palace, the ruins of which can be seen today. Bukhara’s sand-coloured city walls rise organically from this landscape, a reminder of its ancient importance and, to this day, protecting hundreds of mosques and madrassas. Khiva, similarly safeguarded by crenelated walls, also boats an extraordinary collection of historic buildings including a citadel, mosques, mausoleums, monuments, caravanserais and madrassas.

Kalta Minor Minaret, Khiva, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan and the Silk Road

Uzbekistan forms an integral portion of the famous Silk Road. Sweeping from the eastern extremities of Europe, through Central Asia and into the heart of China and India, the multifarious threads of the Silk Road have influenced the politics, culture and commercial life of the region for over 2,500 years, from earliest days of ancient Persia through to the present day. A key element of the Uzbek-Silk Road link is Timur. This feared warlord and adopted hero of the modern state of Uzbekistan was both a military genius and champion of the arts. It was Timur that instigated much of the architecture for which Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities are justly famed and similar exquisite Islamic architecture can be seen throughout the region, particularly Iran, western China and Central Asia’s other ‘stans’. Uzbekistan is easily combined with neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan for those wishing to experience all facets of this fascinating region.

Spices in Chorsu Market in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

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Gur Emir Mausoleum, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?

The best time to visit Uzbekistan is either spring or autumn when daytime temperatures are warm, evenings comfortable, skies generally clear and the risk of rain showers low. With a continental climate, summers can be very hot and humid whilst the winter months can be particularly cold especially in mountainous regions.

Do I need a visa to travel to Uzbekistan from the UK?

British citizens can travel to Uzbekistan visa-free for stays of up to 30 days.

How long is the flight to Uzbekistan from the UK?

Direct flights between London and Tashkent take approximately 7 hours whilst flights that stop en-route are between 10 and 12 hours in duration.

Are vaccinations required for travel to Uzbekistan?

For the most up-to-date medical advice it is recommended that you speak to your doctor prior to travel. You should ensure that your main vaccinations are up to date and you may also want to consider vaccinating against Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. There is no malarial risk in Uzbekistan.

What currency is used in Uzbekistan?

The official currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som. There are still relatively few ATM machines in Uzbekistan with the majority found in the main cities and tourist centres. Although credit cards are accepted in upmarket shops and hotels they should not be relied upon.

What languages are spoken in Uzbekistan?

Uzbek is the predominant language of Uzbekistan although many people also speak Russian and, in southern areas, Tajik. English is increasingly spoken and is popular with the younger generation.

What are the main Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is famous the world over for its links to the Silk Road – an ancient trading route that stretched from China to Europe. Three of the most important Silk Road cities are Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, each with their own unique atmosphere, culture and architecture. These cities are easily combined with capital Tashkent and are essential destinations for those wishing to truly understand the history of Uzbekistan.

Can I enter Uzbekistan by land?

Uzbekistan is a land-locked nation and although the majority of visitors arrive by air it is also possible to enter the country by land. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan all share land borders with Uzbekistan, however, it should be noted that not all are open to foreign nationals whilst others are closed over the winter months.

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